Electrochemical test apparatus and method for its use
First Claim
1. An electrochemical apparatus for scanning a plurality of test samples, said apparatus comprising:
- a support plate comprising a material which is electrically conductive but not ionically conductive, said plate being configured and operable to have a plurality of test samples supported thereupon in a spaced apart relationship, in electrical communication with said plate;
a test probe, said test probe comprising;
a housing;
a porous body disposed in said housing, said porous body having a tip portion projecting from said housing;
an electrolyte material retained in said porous body; and
a body of electrode material which is in electrical communication with the porous body via the electrolyte;
wherein when said projecting tip portion of said porous body is placed in contact with one of said plurality of test samples, said electrolyte establishes electrical and ionic communication between said sample and said body of electrode material so as to form an electrochemical cell, wherein said test sample constitutes one electrode of said electrochemical cell and said body of electrode material constitutes the other electrode of said electrochemical cell; and
whereby, said electrochemical cell may be analyzed by an analyzer which is in electrical communication with said test sample and said electrode material of said probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochemical electrode probe includes an elongated body of a porous material disposed in a housing. The porous material is permeated with an electrolyte. A body of electrode material surrounds the porous body and functions as one electrode of an electrochemical system. A portion of the elongated body of porous material projects beyond the electrode body and functions to establish ionic and electrical conductivity with a sample of material which is to be tested. The sample of material functions as a working electrode, and the electrode body of the probe functions as a counter electrode/reference electrode. Further disclosed is an electrochemical analysis system which includes the probe and a support plate operable to retain a plurality of samples of test material thereupon. The probe is moved across the plate to sequentially measure the electrochemical properties of the various samples of material. Also disclosed are methods for using the system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrochemical apparatus for scanning a plurality of test samples, said apparatus comprising:
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a support plate comprising a material which is electrically conductive but not ionically conductive, said plate being configured and operable to have a plurality of test samples supported thereupon in a spaced apart relationship, in electrical communication with said plate; a test probe, said test probe comprising;
a housing;
a porous body disposed in said housing, said porous body having a tip portion projecting from said housing;
an electrolyte material retained in said porous body; and
a body of electrode material which is in electrical communication with the porous body via the electrolyte;wherein when said projecting tip portion of said porous body is placed in contact with one of said plurality of test samples, said electrolyte establishes electrical and ionic communication between said sample and said body of electrode material so as to form an electrochemical cell, wherein said test sample constitutes one electrode of said electrochemical cell and said body of electrode material constitutes the other electrode of said electrochemical cell; and
whereby, said electrochemical cell may be analyzed by an analyzer which is in electrical communication with said test sample and said electrode material of said probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electrochemical test probe comprising:
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a generally elongated, cylindrical housing; a generally cylindrical body of porous material disposed in said housing, and extending along at least a portion of the length thereof, said body of porous material having a tip portion which projects from said housing; an electrolyte retained in at least a portion of said body of porous material; an electrode disposed in said housing in a coaxial relationship with at least a portion of the length of said body of porous material; and an electrical lead in electrical communication with said body of electrode material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification